Platforms on parade 29 Jul 2010
The tail end of 2010 will make for a fascinating scrap between the major platforms in the UK marketplace, with BSkyB having made its move into IPTV-delivered video-on-demand, Virgin Media reintroducing TiVo and Project Canvas appearing on the horizon, writes Jonathan Webdale.
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ITV tackles technology 'lag' 29 Jul 2010
The new CEO of ITV has admitted that the UK broadcaster lags behind its rivals in technology and has hired a former BBC and BSkyB exec to address the issue.
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Virgin Media unwraps online VoD player 29 Jul 2010
UK cable platform Virgin Media has unveiled its first online and mobile TV video-on-demand service, Virgin Media Player, which it is launching in beta today.
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Hulu strikes Gong deal 28 Jul 2010
Multi-platform entertainment and animation network Gong is making its premium content available on US subscription video-on-demand service Hulu Plus.
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Disney buys Playdom for $760m 28 Jul 2010
Disney is acquiring social gaming start-up Playdom for up to US$763.2m.
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Chinese games firm buys into TV 27 Jul 2010
Chinese online games specialist Perfect World had paid close to US$30m for majority stakes in two local film and television producer-distributors.
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CNN debuts international app 26 Jul 2010
The battle of the news apps is heating up, with CNN following the release last week of the BBC News app in the UK with its own free product for the global market.
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Trust greenlights BBC iPhone apps 23 Jul 2010
The BBC Trust has given the UK public broadcaster the go-ahead for a series of smartphone applications for its BBC News, Sport and iPlayer services, ruling that they do not require further scrutiny.
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Titans on-demand from Virgin 23 Jul 2010
Virgin Media has sealed a deal with Warner Bros Entertainment to bring the US studio's recent action flick Clash of the Titans to the UK cable platform's on-demand service before the film is released on DVD.
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C4 confirms Gisby's departure 23 Jul 2010
UK terrestrial Channel 4 has confirmed that director of future media Jon Gisby is to leave the network, as reported by C21 last week.
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Project Canvas installs chairman 23 Jul 2010
The partners in BBC-backed IPTV joint venture Project Canvas have appointed a director of Ingenious Media as non-executive chairman and charged him with recruiting a CEO.
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A matter of opinions 23 Jul 2010
Candace Flemming, CEO of Massachusetts-based Crimson Hexagon, tells FutureMedia about the firm's work with CNN and how TV companies can make use of social media.
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BBC mobile chief exits amid restructure 22 Jul 2010
BBC managing editor of mobile platforms Jason DaPonte is leaving amid a wider restructure of the pubcaster's mobile operations, C21 understands.
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BeActive finds Romanian Flatmates 22 Jul 2010
Portuguese web series producer BeActive is to develop a Romanian version of its Sofia's Diary follow-up Flatmates.
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Aussie prodco takes Apple to court 21 Jul 2010
An Australian production company is taking legal action against IT giant Apple, alleging copyright infringement and misleading conduct.
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Syfy forges Red Faction alliance 20 Jul 2010
US cable network Syfy has teamed with videogames developer THQ to develop a two-hour, live-action movie pilot based on that latter's Red Faction franchise.
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Gisby out as C4 online shake-up continues 19 Jul 2010
UK terrestrial Channel 4 has promoted Richard Davidson-Houston to head of online and is expected to announce the departure of director of future media Jon Gisby next week.
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Netflix to launch into Canada 19 Jul 2010
Online video, film and TV rental service Netflix is expanding beyond the US for the first time, and will go live in Canada later this year.
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3D firm's IPO raises $200m 19 Jul 2010
The fervour over 3D video technology shows no signs of abating, with RealD, a leading tech firm in the manufacture of 3D movie projectors and glasses, raising US$200m from its IPO.
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Gong builds brand awareness 19 Jul 2010
Gong Media, which operates the Gong multiplatform animé network, has appointed a former Yahoo! executive as its new director of marketing for TV, mobile and the internet.
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Thai net wins $8m IPTV lawsuit 16 Jul 2010
A Bangkok-based broadcaster has won an US$8.3m lawsuit against a Los Angeles-based IPTV company for re-broadcasting the Thai network's programmes and logo over the internet.
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Deadliest Warrior goes gaming 15 Jul 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Spike TV series Deadliest Warrior is taking the fight to the gaming arena with a spin-off fighting game developed by Pipeworks Software now available on Xbox Live Arcade for US$10.
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Facebook game for Deadliest Catch 13 Jul 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Discovery Communications has tapped social games firm Hive Media to produce a Facebook social media game based on Discovery Channel's hit reality show Deadliest Catch.
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Babelgum, C4 behind multi-platform doc 12 Jul 2010
Online video platform Babelgum is continuing its original production efforts with a deal to co-finance a multi-platform documentary called The Bengali Detective with the UK's Channel 4.
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YouTube unveils $5m digital fund 12 Jul 2010
Video sharing site YouTube is launching a US$5m digital production fund in a bid to "catalyse the creation of new ideas and production models" from its partners and users.
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Canvas 'still on track' despite Five exit 12 Jul 2010
The BBC, Channel 4 and other partners in Project Canvas are "working through the implications" of UK terrestrial Five's decision to quit the IPTV joint venture, but insist the move will not cause delays.
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Hulu retains international ambitions 12 Jul 2010
Ad-funded US online video service Hulu still plans to take its wares to the international market, following the launch of subscription service Hulu Plus in the States last week.
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IMG taps TruTV for development boss 8 Jul 2010
IMG Media has poached a TruTV development executive to take a similar role at the global sports distributor.
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Overseas iPlayer still on the sidelines 9 Jul 2010
A pact between EchoStar and Freesat this week raised hopes that UK citizens may soon be able to access the BBC iPlayer from overseas. But what of the international iPlayer, asks Jonathan Webdale.
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MTVN joins social gaming party 9 Jul 2010
MTV Networks is entering the social gaming space by acquiring a fledgling San Francisco-based developer to create IP based on Nickelodeon characters.
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Google reclines with YouTube 8 Jul 2010
Google has inched into the living room with the launch of YouTube Leanback, a precursor to the debut of Google TV in the US this autumn.
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Shields to deliver Mipcom keynote 8 Jul 2010
Facebook's VP for EMEA Joanna Shields has been lined up to deliver the first keynote address at Mipcom in Cannes this October.
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EchoStar, Freesat raise overseas iPlayer hopes 7 Jul 2010
UK citizens may soon be able to access the BBC iPlayer while overseas following a pact between DTH platform Freesat and EchoStar-owned 'place-shifting' TV pioneer Sling Media.
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France TV unveils catch-up service 5 Jul 2010
Public broadcaster France Televisions is this week launching a dedicated catch-up TV platform offering most of its channels' programming, including some foreign dramas.
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Skins sheds MySpace for Facebook 2 Jul 2010
PROPAGANDA FACTORY: Four seasons into E4's teen drama Skins and MySpace - the social network that helped make it such a success - has been usurped by Facebook, delegates here heard today.
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LBi: Digital is dead, long live digital 2 Jul 2010
PROPAGANDA FACTORY: Chris Clarke, creative director of Lost Boys International has proclaimed that digital is dead - at least as a distinction - and heralded Channel 4's recent restructure as an example.
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Facebook appeals for TV fans 2 Jul 2010
PROPAGANDA FACTORY: Nike's 'write the future' World Cup ad generated over 5.4 million video plays when it premiered on Facebook, the latter's EMEA head of strategy and planning told delegates here today.
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Who'd pay for Hulu? 2 Jul 2010
Hulu took its first step into premium content this week. Jonathan Webdale gauges reaction from the US and assesses the service's chances of success.
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Hulu Plus: Whenever, wherever …whatever. 2 Jul 2010
VIEWPOINT: Screen Digest digital media research director Arash Amel argues that Hulu Plus will fail to capture the public's imagination and will struggle to maintain relevance.
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Game on for Disney, Tapulous 2 Jul 2010
Walt Disney Company has acquired California-based mobile content developer Tapulous, which produces music games for the Apple iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch platforms.
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BBC iTV chief joins Canvas partner 1 Jul 2010
BBC interactive TV chief Rahul Chakkara has left to join TalkTalk, one of the partners in the Project Canvas joint venture he helped to champion while at the UK pubcaster.
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MTV UK takes online gaming punt 1 Jul 2010
MTV Networks UK & Ireland is making its first move into online gaming after striking a deal with 888 Holdings subsidiary Dragonfish.
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Move Networks seeks buyer 1 Jul 2010
US online video specialist Move Networks, which counts ABC, Fox, Sky News and ProSieben among its clients, is exploring a possible sell-off and bidding farewell to its CEO.
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Scandi mobile content firm refocuses 30 Jun 2010
Sweden-based mobile media specialist Aspiro is selling off its mobile entertainment division, attributing its decision to a slump in the market.
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Hulu unveils subs service, iPad launch 30 Jun 2010
US online video service Hulu has revealed its long-rumoured subscription service and is being made available on the Apple iPad, Sony PlayStation 3 and Samsung internet-connected TVs.
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YouTube catches STV Player shows 29 Jun 2010
Scottish broadcaster STV is adding programming from its online catch-up TV service to video sharing site YouTube, as its £12m (US$18m) new media rights lawsuit against parent ITV rumbles on.
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Bankable bolsters digital with Demand 29 Jun 2010
The prodco set up by model Tyra Banks is stepping up its digital activities, after last week hiring former NBC Universal Global Networks president Patrick Vien.
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Monterosa adds C4 producer 29 Jun 2010
UK-based 'social TV' specialist Monterosa has hired the Channel 4 producer behind a number of the broadcaster's latest 'dual-screen' initiatives.
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Gisby's future at C4 in doubt, Walker out 28 Jun 2010
Channel 4 director of future media Jon Gisby is understood to be considering his future at the UK broadcaster, which today confirmed the exit of education chief Janey Walker amid an ongoing restructure.
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LXD hip-hops on to Hulu 28 Jun 2010
US-based Agility Studios web series The Legion of Extraordinary Dancers will debut on US video-on-demand service Hulu next month.
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BT to offer BSkyB sports nets 28 Jun 2010
UK IPTV provider BT Vision will carry BSkyB's premium sports channels after signing a milestone wholesale agreement with the satcaster.
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Why the DMCA needs a rewrite 25 Jun 2010
A judge this week rejected Viacom's US$1bn copyright infringement lawsuit against YouTube, ruling that the latter was protected under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. Jonathan Webdale argues that the law needs changing.
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Hulu linked to deals with Sony, CBS 25 Jun 2010
US joint-venture video-on-demand service Hulu is reportedly close to launching on Sony's PlayStation 3 device, and is in talks with CBS about adding the broadcaster's programming to its service.
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BBC Trust approves Project Canvas 25 Jun 2010
The BBC Trust, the public broadcaster's governing body, has approved the corporation's Project Canvas IPTV joint venture.
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Keo Digital hires for Landshare 25 Jun 2010
NEWS BRIEF: UK indie Keo Films has bolstered its digital team, appointing former 4Talent and Hot Tap Media executive Rebecca Thompson.
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BBCWW hires 4iP exec for digital role 25 Jun 2010
Channel 4's digital commissioner of 4iP Daniel Heaf is to rejoin BBC Worldwide, taking on the new position of digital director.
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BBC Switch brings in Degrassi 24 Jun 2010
The BBC's multi-platform service for teenagers, BBC Switch, has acquired drama series Degrassi: The Next Generation.
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Viacom loses $1bn YouTube lawsuit 24 Jun 2010
Media giant Viacom is promising an immediate appeal after a New York court ruled in favour of Google in the duo's long-running US$1bn lawsuit over copyrighted material on YouTube.
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YouTube, WWE play catch-up 23 Jun 2010
World Wrestling Entertainment is to begin offering full-length primetime catch-up programming via its YouTube channel in the US.
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SeeSaw forecasts boost from iPlayer 22 Jun 2010
SeeSaw platform controller John Keeling has said he expects the video-on-demand site to get a significant upswing in traffic when the BBC iPlayer starts linking to it within the next few weeks.
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Rights owners 'must share digital risks' 22 Jun 2010
Rights holders must be willing to "share the risk" with digital platforms in order to unlock the value in digital distribution, KidsCo MD Paul Robinson has said.
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Judd: Google facing 'payback time' 22 Jun 2010
Google could be heading for "payback time" from the US studios when it comes to the launch of Google TV, the CEO of UK-based digital distributor i-Rights has warned.
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Kring, Nokia unveil their Conspiracy 22 Jun 2010
Heroes creator Tim Kring and phone giant Nokia have unveiled details of their much-mooted multi-platform collaboration Conspiracy For Good.
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LoveFilm chief: Premium isn't free 22 Jun 2010
LoveFilm's group digital officer Lesley MacKenzie has urged digital distributors to charge for their top content, on the same day the subscription film and TV service announced a new online movie tie-up with Warner Bros.
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All3Media may drop free VoD shows 22 Jun 2010
UK superindie All3Media may take down some of the shows that it offers for free online, such as Skins and Peep Show, as it sees the industry entering "the second phase of digital distribution."
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France TV in online game tie-up 21 Jun 2010
France Télévisions has joined forces with interactive services outfit AlloKids to develop an online community for children, including a massively multiplayer online game,
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CBS acts out YooStar alliance 18 Jun 2010
CBS has linked up with a games company that is using Microsoft's new Kinect gesture control system to enable people to re-enact, record and share scenes from series such as CSI, Survivor and Twin Peaks.
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MySpace co-president departs 18 Jun 2010
Jason Hirschhorn is leaving MySpace just a few months after being upped to co-president, as the News Corp-owned social networking company continues to shed execs.
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Challenges ahead for online video 17 Jun 2010
Sam Kayum, UK MD of online video advertising network Smartclip, discusses the challenges facing online video and the ways that the industry can address them.
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WPP backs Ace Metrix 17 Jun 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Global advertising giant WPP has taken a stake in US TV advertising measurement specialist Ace Metrix.
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Conker takes two at Banff 17 Jun 2010
BANFF NEWS: The UK claimed three of the four digital media gongs at the close of the Banff World Television Festival yesterday.
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Where's Waldo? gets iPad app 17 Jun 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Classic Media kids' property Where's Waldo? has made its debut on the Apple iPad courtesy of Canadian games developer Ludia.
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NBCU dials up AT&T web series 16 Jun 2010
NBC Universal's digital studio has partnered with media agency MEC on a new web series for US telecoms company AT&T.
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ESPN plugs into Xbox Live 16 Jun 2010
Software behemoth Microsoft has linked up with US sportscaster ESPN to bring some 3,500 sporting events to its Xbox Live subscribers.
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Distribution360 launches in Banff 15 Jun 2010
BANFF NEWS: Canadian producer Marblemedia and Seven24 Films have launched their own distribution company, Distribution360, to capitalise on the multi-platform roll-out of their content brands.
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J:Com seek video link-up with KDDI 14 Jun 2010
Japanese cable operator Jupiter Communications is working on a mutual video distribution agreement and a video-on-demand content tie-up with shareholder KDDI.
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Indie video site sign new pacts 14 Jun 2010
Start-up internet video site Indie Movies Online has struck licensing partnerships with ITV, Porchlight and Hanway Films.
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Electus, DumbDumb air Dirty Shorts 14 Jun 2010
Ben Silverman's multimedia start-up Electus has unveiled the first fruit from its partnership with New York prodco DumbDumb - a branded comedy for chewing gum brand Wrigley's Orbit.
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Spotify TV service goes live 11 Jun 2010
Online music streaming service Spotify has launched its first TV service, in partnership with Nordic telecoms giant TeliaSonera.
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Canal+ launches iPad app 11 Jun 2010
France's Canal+ Group has launched an iPad app, allowing subscribers access to a number of its premium channels through the device.
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Endemol UK hires digital director 11 Jun 2010
Endemol UK has appointed a director of operations for digital media, following the departure of top digital execs Peter Cowley and Adam Valkin earlier this year.
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Broadcast and broadband become one 11 Jun 2010
VIEWPOINT: Rob van den Dam, EMEA telecommunications industry leader at the IBM Institute for Business Value, argues that the internet is becoming the dominant broadcasting platform of our age - one that is inherently social.
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TiVo suffers blow in patent case 9 Jun 2010
US time-shifted TV pioneer TiVo has suffered a major setback in its long-running legal battle over patent infringement with satellite TV platforms Dish Network and Echostar.
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Crackle pops into UK, Oz 8 Jun 2010
US studio Sony Pictures Entertainment is to launch its online video channel Crackle into the UK and Australia.
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20th Century films taken to the Maxdome 4 Jun 2010
Pan-European broadcaster ProSiebenSat.1 has agreed a deal with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to bring the latter's titles to German pay video-on-demand service Maxdome.
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What next for ITV online? 4 Jun 2010
ITV yesterday hired Fru Hazlitt to take over its airtimes sales and online operations, forcing out head of the latter Ben McOwen Wilson, who was instrumental in efforts to create Hulu UK. Jonathan Webdale explores the implications.
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Goldman aims to reinvent TV with Philo 3 Jun 2010
Former RDF USA executive VP Greg Goldman has joined a social TV start-up that already has deals in place with Studio Lambert and Donald Trump Productions.
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ITV brings World Cup to iPhone 3 Jun 2010
UK commercial broadcaster ITV is teaming up with Red Bee Media to launch an iPhone app allowing live streaming of ITV1 and ITV2 in time for the Fifa World Cup.
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ITV: McOwen-Wilson out, Hazlitt in 3 Jun 2010
ITV's MD of online and interactive, Ben McOwen-Wilson, is following MD of brand and commercial Rupert Howell out the door at the UK terrestrial, with former GCap CEO Fru Hazlitt arriving to fill both roles.
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EuropaCorp website opens up filmmaking 1 Jun 2010
Orange and Luc Besson's film studio EuropaCorp have joined forces to launch a website that allows users to get involved in the process of making a movie.
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Airey labours for Lovefilm 1 Jun 2010
NEWS BRIEF: Dawn Airey, CEO of UK terrestrial Five, has joined the board of film and television rental service Lovefilm as a non-executive director.
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Virgin Media tunes up for karaoke 28 May 2010
UK multi-platform provider Virgin Media is launching a karaoke service on its video-on-demand platform.
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ITV goes dual-screen for World Cup 28 May 2010
Brit broadcaster ITV has honed its 'dual-screen' strategy ahead of next month's World Cup kick-off in South Africa.
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E1 takes ITV, ContentFilm content for digital 28 May 2010
International distributor E1 International is growing its digital slate, acquiring North American rights to content from ITV Global Entertainment and ContentFilm.
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Will Google's revolution be televised? 28 May 2010
Google TV was unveiled for the first time last week, promising the biggest shake-up of the medium in its history. But can the search giant replicate its online success in the living room, asks Jonathan Webdale.
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Sky, BBC embrace iPad 28 May 2010
BSkyB and the BBC are among the first to embrace the the Apple iPad as it launches in the UK today.
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TiVo's first-quarter loss widens 26 May 2010
US time-shifted television pioneer TiVo saw its first-quarter net loss increase by US$10.3m from the same period last year, following a 10% drop in subscriptions.
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BBC3 to launch pilots online 26 May 2010
UK diginet BBC3 is to launch three drama pilots online a week ahead of TV transmission, in a bid to get feedback from young viewers ahead of the shows' launches.
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iPlayer to link to third party VoD 26 May 2010
The BBC will from this summer begin linking its popular iPlayer to video-on-demand services from ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and SeeSaw.
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NBCU picks Saffron for online video 25 May 2010
NBC Universal International is rolling out a new video player across its websites in 20 countries.
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